We sing until we choke on the ashes of bleeding forests
We run until our lungs are filled with soot
And our hearts sink into the depths of the earth
The sunlight cannot reach us through clouds of dark smoke
She stares at us with the color of a bright orange embryo
In the apocalyptic day-night
This is not a fantasy of the future
It is now. Our reality. Our present.
A gift from generations past.
The rain cannot wash away our sins
The earth is dying with every new dress and pair of shoes
With every plastic toy and takeout container
Chemicals, paints and pesticides running from drains into the bodies of your grandchildren
Seeping out of their veins as they stare at you with hollow eyes
Pleading for life
I thought air and water was a human right
A bang for your buck leaves our Mother Earth raped and bleeding to death
That future generations must die for your standard of living
Because your price tags don’t show the true cost
Are you really buying, Mr Consumer? Or are you selling us all out?
© 2023 Marieke de Koker
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